Great fertility foods

These seeds are high in zinc and have the essential fatty acids that are very important in male fertility. Eaten daily, men are supposed to consume ¼ cup a day.

Almonds & Walnuts:

Healthy and packed with healthy fats and oils, zinc, selenium and vitamin E, these nuts help increase sperm and egg quality.

Flaxseed:

Flaxseed is a powerhouse of fiber, essential fatty acids and is known to protect against cancer. Because they contain the omega 3 fatty acids, they help to regulate hormones, and increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.

Brazil nuts:

Brazil nuts are rich in antioxidants, selenium and vitamin E. Because they are so nutrient rich, they are wonderful for keeping sperm cells healthy, and increases motility and quality. Due to the antioxidant quality of Brazil nuts, they are very good at protecting the sperm and cell’s from free radicals that may be harmful to sperm. Containing selenium, Brazil nuts are important for encouraging implantation and thickening the uterine lining.

Olive oil:

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E. It is great for improving and protecting the quality of sperm. It also helps to regulate ovulation and the production of cervical fluid.

Pineapple:

Pineapple core is rich in bromelain and acts like a blood thinner and brings blood to the uterus. This is especially important in fertility. Aside from bromelain, pineapple also contains selenium which helps to create a thick, healthy and nutrient rich uterine lining ready for implantation.

Yams:

Yams are a renown superfood in many cultures to be the multiple birth miracle food. Yams are thought to stimulate hyper ovulation, increasing conception odds, as well as twins.

Avocados:

Considered a powerful superfood, avocados are loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants and high in protein. They are high in vitamin E, and are said to increase sperm mobility. Avocados also helps keep the sperm from grouping together while they find their way to the egg.

Blueberries:

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that protect the body against free radicals which protect and improve egg and sperm quality. They are also one of the biggest disease fighting foods that are known to contribute to healthy brain function. Blueberries encourage blood flow throughout the body therefore improving cardiovascular health as well as reproductive health.

Garlic:

Garlic is a superfood that boosts immunity and helps with inflammation that may impact fertility in both women and men. Containing B6, garlic may also help to regulate hormones and prevent chromosome breakage that may possibly lead to early miscarriage.

Royal Jelly:

Royal jelly is the only food that the queen bee. She lives for about 6 years and lays over 2,000 eggs per day where other bees live less than two months. It is rich in vitamins, iron, amino acids and calcium. It is considered a fertility superfood.

Bee Propolis and Bee Pollen:

Bee pollen is rich in nutrients like proteins, amino acids, B complex and folic acid. Bee pollen helps boost the immune system, wards off aging and stimulates digestion. It is also known to be an important fertility food by stimulating ovarian function, and improves egg quality.

Whole grains:

Whole grains are abundant in B and E vitamins. These are vital to cellular reproduction. If you think about a growing baby, that process is the constant reproduction of cells so eating grains like oats, brown rice, whole wheat and quinoa is especially important. Whole grains are also important for hormonal balance and contribute to healthy egg and sperm quality.

Oily Fish:

Rich in essential fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6, oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines help provide nutrients that regulate reproductive function. These fatty acids also improve sperm quality and mobility.

Wild fresh salmon:

Salmon is really high in the essential fatty acids necessary to nourish the brain, improve memory, and control blood pressure. High in essential fatty acids, salmon helps improve fertility.

Lean Red Meats:

Abundant in iron and an excellent source of vitamin B12, good quality, organic lean read meat helps prevent anemia by providing the necessary iron for the production and function of red blood cells. It has been shown in several studies that women who are deficient in iron have higher infertility rates than those who are not iron deficient. Helping the quality of red blood cells, lean red meats help provide a nutrient rich uterine lining.

Protein:

Protein is essential to cell production. While many sources of protein come from meats, plant protein can be just as nutritious. Other sources of protein deriving of plant protein would be beans, tofu, quinoa, peas, lentils and garbanzo beans.

Eggs:

High in protein, eggs are great to help with cell production. They are also high in selenium which helps create a healthy uterine lining. In Chinese medicine, eggs through a dietary therapeutic view are considered to be a part of “essence” which is the constitutional make up of life.

Colorful veggies:

Colorful veggies are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are essential for protecting the body, cells, sperm and eggs against free radicals. They are great for providing the necessary vitamins and minerals that many people are deficient in.

Dark leafy greens:

Dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collard greens are high in folic acid, which is essential in sperm production as well as healthy egg production. Folic acid also helps prevent unwanted neural tube defects during early pregnancy. Also a great source of iron and vitamin C, these greens help to protect the sperm’s DNA held within from being damaged due to free radicals, toxic burdens, or other bodily stress.

Spirulina:

This tiny aquatic plant is a great source of protein, packed with vitamin A, has more iron than beef and is great for detoxing the liver which plays a large role in reproductive health in women.

Different powdered greens blends are readily and easily found at most co-ops. Greens Pak is a better tasting and highly nutritious greens blend that can be ordered on line. Mix with apple juice and this green is easily digested.

Maca:

Maca is a super fertility food that comes from Peru. While it contains no hormones, Maca is an adaptogen, which helps to control the estrogen in the body and regulates and increases progesterone. It is a great hormone regulator since it has a tonifying effect on the endocrine system. It also increases egg health, sperm count and is overall a great fertility food.

So now you know what you should be eating. But what about what NOT to eat? Stay tuned for the next installment of what to avoid.

Happy eating!

As always, the information above is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice.